Django Unchained premiere canned after Sandy Hook

Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher film and Ke$ha single also affected in wake of shooting

HOLLYWOOD studios and TV stations have been tearing up their schedules in the wake of the Sandy Hook school tragedy, for fear of causing offence.

On Tuesday, the much-anticipated premiere of Quentin Tarantino's violent new movie Django Unchained was cancelled. It is the third big Christmas release to be affected after a weekend during which Tom Cruise's latest film, Jack Reacher, and Bette Midler and Billy Crystal's comedy Parental Guidance also had their premieres postponed.

On Sunday, Fox TV pulled episodes of cartoon comedy series Family Guy and American Dad because of their content, and replaced them with repeats. An episode of The Cleveland Show was also canned.

Meanwhile TMZ reports that pop singer Ke$ha's unfortunately-titled single 'Die Young' has disappeared from radio playlists across the country in the wake of the tragedy. "The last time a song plummeted this quickly is when the Dixie Chicks were banned from country radio... after insulting President Bush," reported the gossip website.

The premiere of Django Unchained had been due to take place in Los Angeles tonight. It has been replaced by a private screening for the film's cast and crew.

Announcing the decision, the Weinstein Company said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and in this time of national mourning we have decided to forgo our scheduled event."

However, Tarantino defended his films at the weekend and said he was tired of being put in the spotlight every time there was a shooting. "You know there's violence in the world, tragedies happen, blame the playmakers," he told the BBC, adding: "It's a western. Give me a break."

In addition to calling off the premiere of Tom Cruise's latest movie, Jack Reacher, studio Paramount has "tweaked" the film's marketing material according to Hollywood Reporter. "A scene of Cruise's character firing off a semi-automatic weapon is being cut from promotional spots," it reported. The film, which concerns the hunt for a sniper, will open on Friday.

The final movie to be affected was the Bette Midler vehicle Parental Guidance, which according to The Guardian "appears less controversial: it is about a married couple who are asked to care for their grandchildren".